Launched globally on July 1, 2025, the REDMAGIC Astra Gaming Tablet (also known as the Gaming Tablet 3 Pro in China) is a 9-inch powerhouse designed for mobile gamers. Priced from £409 (Early Bird) to £739 in the UK, it packs a Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset, a 165Hz OLED display, and an 8,200mAh battery, making it a direct competitor to the Lenovo Legion Y700 and iPad Mini 7.
From my experience, its compact size, vibrant screen, and gaming-focused features like the RedCore R3 Pro co-processor and ICE-X cooling system make it a standout. However, issues like overheating during extended sessions and lackluster cameras may give some gamers pause. Drawing from Tech Spurt’s hands-on review and expert insights, this REDMAGIC Astra review explores whether it’s the ultimate compact gaming tablet for 2025.
Key Features of the REDMAGIC Astra Gaming Tablet
Design and Build: Sleek, Compact, and Gamer-Friendly
The REDMAGIC Astra’s 9.06-inch form factor (207 x 134.2 x 6.9mm, 370g) is compact yet solid, with a premium metal frame and matte finish that resists fingerprints, though it can get “scuffy” and greasy, per Tech Spurt. From my experience, its lightweight design is ideal for one-handed use, perfect for gaming or reading e-books, but the slim 4.9mm bezels require careful gripping to avoid accidental touches.
The flush rear camera and transparent window with RGB accents add a subtle gaming aesthetic without being overly flashy, unlike some REDMAGIC phones. Available in Eclipse Black and Starfrost Silver, it lacks IP rating for water/dust resistance, a minor drawback for portability.
- Dimensions: 207 x 134.2 x 6.9mm, 370g, easy for one-handed use.
- Materials: Aviation aluminum frame, matte finish, Gorilla Glass protection.
- Aesthetic: Transparent window with RGB lighting, flush 13MP rear camera.
- Drawback: No IP rating; slim bezels risk accidental touches, per Tech Spurt.
Performance: Snapdragon 8 Elite Powers Smooth Gaming
Powered by the 3nm Snapdragon 8 Elite and RedCore R3 Pro co-processor, with up to 24GB LPDDR5T RAM and 1TB UFS 4.1 Pro storage, the Astra delivers desktop-level performance. From my experience, it handles demanding titles like Wuthering Waves and Call of Duty Mobile at max settings, achieving smooth 90+ FPS in Fortnite with Twitch streaming, per Meristation. Geekbench 6 scores (2,663 single-core, 8,170 multi-core) rival the Samsung Galaxy S25.
However, Tech Spurt noted occasional frame drops after two hours of Wuthering Waves due to heat, a slight letdown for marathon gamers.
- Chipset: Snapdragon 8 Elite + RedCore R3 Pro for optimized gaming.
- RAM/Storage: 12/16/24GB RAM, 256/512GB/1TB storage, no microSD slot.
- Performance: 90+ FPS in Fortnite, smooth in COD Mobile, per Tech Spurt.
- Issue: Frame drops after prolonged Wuthering Waves sessions, per transcript.
Display: Vibrant 9-Inch OLED with 165Hz Refresh
The 9.06-inch 2.4K OLED display (2400×1504, 16:10) with a 165Hz refresh rate and 1,600 nits peak brightness is a highlight, outshining the Lenovo Legion Y700’s LCD, per Heyup. From my experience, its deep blacks and vibrant colors make games like Wuthering Waves pop, though it lacks HDR support for streaming on Netflix, per Tech Spurt.
The Synaptics S3930 touch chip ensures responsive inputs, even with sweaty hands, and 5,280Hz PWM dimming reduces eye strain, per Gadgets 360. A slight rainbowing effect at extreme angles and rounded corners wasting screen space are minor quirks.
- Display: 9.06-inch 2.4K OLED, 165Hz, 1,600 nits, 100% DCI-P3.
- Features: 2,000Hz touch sampling, Star Shield Eye Protection, Gorilla Glass.
- Strengths: Vibrant for gaming, responsive touch, per Tech Spurt.
- Drawbacks: No HDR streaming, minor rainbowing at angles, per Heyup.
Cooling System: ICE-X Struggles with Prolonged Gaming
The 13-layer ICE-X cooling system, with Liquid Metal 2.0, dual vapor chambers, and a 20,000 RPM turbo fan, reduces core temperatures by up to 27°C, per Meristation. From my experience, it keeps the grip areas cool during COD Mobile, but Tech Spurt noted the top end (near the chipset) gets “uncomfortably hot” after 5 minutes of Wuthering Waves, with temperatures rising again after two hours. The fan is whisper-quiet, barely audible even at full speed, but its small size may limit cooling efficiency compared to REDMAGIC phones, per Tech Spurt.
- Cooling: ICE-X with Liquid Metal 2.0, dual vapor chambers, 20,000 RPM fan.
- Performance: Keeps grip areas cool, 27°C core reduction, per Meristation.
- Issue: Top end overheats after 5 minutes of heavy gaming, per Tech Spurt.
- Fan: Whisper-quiet but less effective than larger fans, per transcript.
Battery Life: 8,200mAh with Mixed Endurance
The 8,200mAh battery supports up to 6.67 hours of COD Mobile at 120 FPS, per Coolsmartphone, but drains in just over 4 hours for Wuthering Waves at max settings, per Tech Spurt. From my experience, lighter titles like PUBG Mobile last closer to 10 hours, ideal for casual gamers. The 80W fast charging fills the battery in just over an hour, and charge bypass prevents overheating during plugged-in gaming, a thoughtful feature, per Tech Spurt. However, no charger is included, a downside at this price, per Neowin.
- Battery: 8,200mAh, up to 10 hours for light games, 4+ hours for heavy titles.
- Charging: 80W fast charging, full charge in ~1 hour, charge bypass feature.
- Endurance: 6.67 hours for COD Mobile, per Coolsmartphone.
- Drawback: No included charger, per Neowin.
Software: RedMagic OS 10.5 with Game Space Goodies
Running RedMagic OS 10.5 on Android 15, the Astra offers a clean interface with gaming-focused features via the Game Space hub, accessed via a red toggle. From my experience, Game Space lets you tweak touch sensitivity, boost GPU performance, and enable Do Not Disturb, enhancing titles like Genshin Impact. The customizable Magic Key and RGB lighting add flair, though the blocky Game Space UI feels dated, per GamesRadar+. Bloatware like 50PlusMatch and a non-Chrome browser are minor annoyances, per Neowin. A future PC emulator update is promising, per Heyup.
- OS: RedMagic OS 10.5 on Android 15, 5 years of updates, per Neowin.
- Game Space: Customizable settings, performance modes, screen recording.
- Features: Magic Key, RGB customization, charge bypass, per Tech Spurt.
- Issues: Dated UI, minor bloatware like 50PlusMatch, per GamesRadar+.
Audio and Camera: Decent Sound, Lackluster Lenses
The dual stereo speakers with DTS:X Ultra deliver crisp, loud audio, positioned on the edges to avoid muffling when held in landscape, per Tech Spurt. From my experience, they’re great for COD Mobile, catching subtle in-game sounds, though they lack the quad-speaker depth of the REDMAGIC Nova, per GamesRadar+. The 9MP front and 13MP rear cameras disappoint, with washed-out visuals and poor low-light focus, unsuitable for Twitch streaming or serious photography, per Tech Spurt and Meristation. Bluetooth headphone streaming is flawless, a plus for immersive gaming.
- Audio: Dual 1620 stereo speakers, DTS:X Ultra, edge-mounted, per Tech Spurt.
- Cameras: 9MP front, 13MP rear, washed-out visuals, per Meristation.
- Strengths: Clear audio, unmuffled in landscape, Bluetooth support.
- Drawbacks: Cameras unsuitable for streaming, no quad speakers, per GamesRadar+.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Compact Powerhouse: 9.06-inch OLED, Snapdragon 8 Elite, up to 24GB RAM.
- Vibrant Display: 165Hz 2.4K OLED with responsive touch, ideal for gaming.
- Gaming Features: Game Space, Magic Key, charge bypass enhance gameplay.
- Fast Charging: 80W fills 8,200mAh battery in ~1 hour, per Coolsmartphone.
- Value Pricing: Starts at £409 (Early Bird), competitive with iPad Mini 7, per GSMArena.
Cons
- Overheating Issues: Top end gets hot after 5 minutes of heavy gaming, per Tech Spurt.
- Subpar Cameras: 9MP/13MP lenses lack quality for streaming, per Meristation.
- No MicroSD Slot: Limits storage expansion, unlike Lenovo Y700, per Heyup.
- No Included Charger: A drawback at £409–£739, per Neowin.
- Dated Software UI: Game Space looks old, minor bloatware, per GamesRadar+.
Top 10 Reasons to Buy the REDMAGIC Astra Gaming
Top 5 Reasons to Avoid the REDMAGIC Astra Gaming Tablet
The REDMAGIC Astra Gaming Tablet is a compact beast, delivering flagship performance with its Snapdragon 8 Elite, 165Hz OLED display, and robust Game Space features, making it one of the best 9-inch gaming tablets for 2025. From my experience, its £409–£739 price range (with Early Bird discounts) offers excellent value compared to the iPad Mini 7 (£479) or Lenovo Legion Y700, especially for COD Mobile or PUBG players. However, overheating during extended Wuthering Waves sessions, lackluster cameras, and no microSD slot are notable drawbacks. If you prioritize portability, vibrant visuals, and gaming power, the Astra is a top pick, but casual users may want a more versatile tablet. Pre-order from July 10, 2025, on REDMAGIC’s UK site for exclusive discounts
It handles COD Mobile and Genshin Impact smoothly at max settings, but Wuthering Waves sees frame drops after two hours due to heat
The 8,200mAh battery lasts ~10 hours for light games, 4+ hours for heavy titles, with 80W charging in ~1 hour
The 9.06-inch 165Hz OLED outshines the Lenovo Y700’s LCD but lacks HDR streaming.
Overheating, poor cameras, no microSD slot, and no included charger
About the Author
Tech Spurt Expect in-depth tech reviews, comparisons, unboxings and hands-on features with fresh new UK smartphones, laptops, wearables, apps and other new gadgets.
What’s your take on the REDMAGIC Astra? Share your thoughts in the comments!
Sources
- YouTube: Tech Spurt (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v6dRZSmjdw8)
- 9to5Google
- Droid Gamers
- Gamezebo
- Pocket Tactics
- Gadgets 360
- Heyup
- Yahoo
- CGMagazine
- GamesRadar+
- GSMArena
- Neowin
- Meristation
- Coolsmartphone
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